Reclining chair and control arrangement



Jan. 5, 1965 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,164,407

RECLINING CHAIR AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 28,1963 INVENTOR. PA /0H0; F sa/z/A'Pamke BY J- i507, orraRMi-rs Jan. 5,1965 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,164,407

RECLINING CHAIR AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 28,1963 INVENTOR- Fn IDTJOF E SCHLIEPHACkE ATTORNEYS a Jan. 5, 1965 F. F.SCHLIEPHACKE 3,164,407

RECLINING CHAIR AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENT Filed June 28, 1963 5Sheets-Sheet 3 M4 w 4% 06 U Jan. 5, 1965 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,164,407

RECLINING CHAIR AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 28,1963 Jan. 5, 1965 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 7" RECLINING CHAIR AND CONTROLARRANGEMENT Filed June 28, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. FIQ/DTJOF ESCWZ/[PAMCQA United States Patent 3,164,407 RECLINING CHAIR AND CONTROLGEMENT Fridtjof F. Schliephacke,

' many, assignor to Anton Lorenz, Boynton Beach, Fla.

Filed June 28, 1963, Ser. No. 292,211 Claims. (Cl. 29785) The presentinvention relates to reclining chairs, and in particular to an improvedcontrol arrangement for a reclining chair of the type includingbody-supporting means having a seat and back-rest mounted on a supportand a leg-rest coordinated to move to elevated leg-sup porting positionsin response to movement of the bodysupporting means. Advantageously,chairs according to the present invention are capable of attainingnumerous desired positions of the body-supporting means for comfortablyaccommodating the chair occupant. This is a continuation-in-part ofapplication Serial No. 29,763, filed May 17, 1960, entitled RecliningChair and Control Arrangement, and application Serial No. 112,258, filedMay 24, 1961, entitled Improved Reclining Chair and Leg- Rest ControlArrangement.

The well known reclining chair includes a support, body-supporting meansmovably mounted on the support, and a leg-rest normally disposed in astored position and movable to an elevated leg-supporting positionincident to the movement of the body-supporting means. Thebodysupporting means may take the form of either a unitary or rigidbody-supporting unit, or a separate seat and separate back-rest mountedfor inclining and reclining movement respectively. The body-supportingmeans and the leg-rest are coordinated such that for each increment ofmovement of the body-supporting means rearwardly to various recliningpositions, there is a corresponding movement of the leg-rest toward theelevated leg-supporting position. These chairs of the single movementtype are arranged such that the leg-rest arrives at the requiredelevated leg-supporting position when the body-supporting means hasmoved to the fully reclined position. In a typical chair, the back-restis disposed at an angle of approximately 45 to the floor line in thefully reclined position of the chair, while the leg-rest swings to aposition substantially horizontal and parallel tothe floor line, withthe seat either maintaining a rigid relationship to the back-rest orbeing inclined such that the included angle between the seat andback-rest increases to establish an appropriate attitude for the chairoccupant for complete relaxation. As a practical matter, the leg-restshould not move beyond the horizontal attitude relative to the floor, orbeyond a prescribed location in relation to the seat, in that the legsshould be accommodated in an elevated, but slightly bent, position foroptimum comfort. As is generally understood, the reason for elevatingthe legs in the first instance is to afford maximum comfort and to avoidthe undesirable physiological effects incident upon the legs hangingdown when the chair occupant attempts to be comfortable or relax. Thus,in a Well constructed single movement reclining chair, although thereare many intermediate positions between the upright sitting position andthe fully reclined position, as a practical matter the only positionappropriate for proper relaxation is the reclining position, or oneclose thereto, wherein the legrest is sufficiently elevated toappropriately support the legs of the chair occupant.

Of recent times there has been developed the multiple movement recliningchair which is specifically designed to establish at least oneintermediate position of the bodysupporting means when the leg-rest isalready elevated for an effective leg-supporting position. Such multiplemovement chairs may be of the type incorporating a unitarybody-supporting unit wherein there are first and secondBerlin-Schmargendorf, Germovement phases. During the first movementphase, the unit moves from an upright sitting position with the legreststored to an intermediate, tilted sitting position with the leg-restelevated; .and during the second movement phase, the unit moves from theintermediate, tilted sitting position through various recliningpositions to a fully reclined position, with the leg-rest remaining in asubstantially fixed elevated leg-supporting position relative to theseat. Further, such chairs may be of the type incorporating abody-supporting means including a movable seat and movable back-restwherein there are first and second movement phases. During the firstmovement phase the body-supporting means moves from an upright sittingposition to an intermediate, tilted sitting position with substantiallyno change in the angular relationship between the seat and back-rest,with the leg-rest moving into an elevated position; and during thesecond movement phase the body-supporting means moves from theintermediate, tilted sitting position through a series of recliningpositions to a fully reclined position, with the leg-rest remainingelevated relative to the seat and with an increase in the angularrelationship between the seat and back-rest. Inherently such multiplemovement recliningchairs are relatively complicated and expensive toconstruct, and usually require special provision to establish the orderof or sequence of operations for the movable components of the chair.

Broadly, it is" an object of the present invention to provide animproved reclining chair of the multiple position or multiple movementtype which is capable of attaining one or more intermediate positions inwhich the legs of the chair occupant are elevated. Specifically it iswithin the contemplation of the present invention to provide an improvedleg-rest and seat control arrangement for a reclining chair whichenables the establishment of a number of intermediate selected positionswherein the body-supporting means .and leg-rest of the chair areoptimumly positioned relative to each other and to the chair frame orsupport for comfortably accommodating the chair 0ccupant in attitudesappropriate for television viewing, reading, sewing or the like, and/orcomplete relaxation.

I have found that by controlling the rate of elevation of the leg-rest,it is possible to establish multiple positions fora chair in which thebody-supporting means is continuously'moved and is properly positioned,relative to the support for establishing successive desired attitudesfor the chair occupant; and in such successive attitudes,

the leg-rest is always appropriately elevated for the optimumleg-supporting function. In particular, the legrest is elevated at asubstantially uniform rate during a first phase or portion of themovement of the body-supporting means relative to the support to bringthe legrest quickly to the desired elevated leg-supporting position;thereafter as the body-supporting means moves through a second phase orportion of movement toward the fully reclined position, the leg-restslows down so as to maintain its optimum position, it being recalledthat the leg-rest must remain substantially in a horizontal positionrelative to the floor line and in a' required relationship to theseatwhich simultaneously is moved into various inclined positions.Advantageously, provision may be such that the retardation of the rateof movement of the leg-rest during the second phase or portion ofmovement of the body-supporting means brings about a decrease, ratherthan a further increase, in the angle between the leg-rest and seatduring the latter portion of the second phase, such that an optimumposition for the leg-rest may be established when the body-supportingunit moves into the fully reclined position.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating objectsandffeatures of the present invention, my reclining chair comprises asupport, body-supporting 'movernent of said body-supporting means.

means including a back-rest and seat movably mounted V on said supportfor reclining and inclining movement suspending means mounted on saidsupport and carrying said control member therebetween. The. suspendingmeans cooperate with the control member to provide a four-bar linkageindependent of the body supporting means for guiding the control memberfor displacement relative to said support and meansoperatively connectsaid control member with said body-supporting means for displacement ofsaid control member in response to First coupling means operativelyconnect a first control point on said control member to said leg-rest.The suspending means is connected, at such spaced points on the controlmember and said control point is so spaced from said spaced points as tocause said first control point to initially move rapidly in response toa first phase of the movement of said body-supporting means and then tobe retarded in response to a second phase of movement of saidbody-supporting means. Second coupling means operatively connect asecond control point on said control member to a second controlled pointon said bodysupporting means and serving as a control means such thatsaid seat is inclined at-a relatively fast rate during said first motionphase and relatively slower rate during said second motion phase.

As a feature of the invention, the control pivot can be positioned onthe control member and the control member can be mouuted such that theretardation in rate of movement ofthe leg-rest during the second phaseof movement of the body-supporting means brings about a decrease in theangle between the leg-rest and seat during the latter portion of suchsecond phase such that an optimum elevated leg-supporting position forthe legrest is maintained as the body-supporting means moves into thefully reclined position.

Advantageously, the improved leg-rest and seat control. arrangement ofthe present invention finds useful application in reclining chairs ofthe rester type including a unitary back-rest and seat mounted on thesupport for continuous and uniform movement into various tiltedpositionsland also reclining chairs of the lounger type constructed witha movable seat and movable back-rest mounted on the support for.continuous and uniform inclining and reclining movement respectively.

The above brief description, as well as other features and advantages ofthe present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference tothe following detailed description of several illustrative embodimentsaccord ing to the present invention, when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying. drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with the adjacent side frame brokenaway and with parts sectioned, show ing a reclining chair demonstratingfeatures of the present invention, with'the chair shown in the uprightsitting position; i

' FIG. 2 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but showing thechair in a first intermediate position with the leg-rest in an elevatedleg-supporting position;

FIG. 3 is afside elevational view similar to FIG. 2 but showing thechair in a further intermediate position with the leg-rest in anelevated leg-supporting position;and

FIG. ,4 is aside elevational view similar to FIG. 3 but showingthereclining chair in a fully reclined position, with the leg-rest in anelevated leg-supporting position;

' FIG..5 is a side elevational view,.with the adjacent side frame brokenaway and with parts sectioned, showpriate rate.

FiG. 7 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 6

but showing the chair in a further intermediate position, with theleg-rest in an elevated leg-supporting position; and

PEG. 8 is a side elevational view similar to PEG. 7

but showing the reclining chair in a fully reclined position, with theleg-rest in an elevated leg-supporting posi tion.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, there is shown in PXGS. l to4 inclusive a first embodiment of a reclining chair demonstratingfeatures of the present invention, generally designated by the referencenumeral 1! which includes a support or frame 12 having opposite sidewalls 14 interconnected by suitable cross braces 16 and supported ondepending legs 16.

A body-supporting means, generally designated by the reference numeral20 and including a back-rest 22 and a seat 24-, is mounted on thesupport for continuous and uniform movement from the upright sittingposition illustrated in FIG. 1 through numerous intermediate positions(selected ones being illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3) into the recliningposition illustrated in EEG. 4. In this illustrative embodiment theback-rest 22 includes 21 depending arm 22a and is mounted on the supportat a back-rest pivot 26 for reclining movement, and the seat 24 ismounted for inclining movement about a seat pivot 28 onthe support 12.which is spaced above and for wardly of the back-rest pivot 26.

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat 24 in a depending storedposition is a leg-rest 3% which is mounted for movement at varying ratesfrom the stored position illustrated in FIG. 1 to elevatedleg-supporting positions illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. In thisillustrative embodiment the leg-rest 38 is mounted for movement into thesuccessive elevated leg-supporting positions by a double four-barlinkage 34 which is operatively connected to the leg-rest 36 and ismounted on the seat 24.

In the usual continuous and uniform movement chair which includes aback-rest 22, seat 24 and leg-rest 36 mounted substantially as describedhereinbefore, the coordinating mechanism is such that for each incrementof the continuous and uniform reclining movement of the back-rest 22,there would be a corresponding continuous and uniform inclining movementof the seat 24 at its appropriate rate and a corresponding continuousand uniform elevating movement of the leg-rest 3d at its appro- Theincluded angle between the seat and back-rest would increase as afunction of the reclining movement as a result of the different rates intheir continuous movement, and the legrest would be elevated, with theleg-rest arriving at the requisite elevated legsupporting position, whenthe back-rest or body-supporting means reached the fully reclinedposition (see FIG. 4). Thus, as a practical matter, the leg-rest 39would not be effectively positioned for the legsupporting functionduring the numerous intermediate positions and untii the chair occupantbrought the back-rest or body-supporting means close to or into thefully reclined position. However, as will now be described, provision ismade, by an improved leg-rest control arrangement 36 in accordance withthe present invention, to incline the seat 24 at variable rates and torapidly bring the leg-rest 30' into an elevated leg-supporting positionextending forwardly of the seat 24 and closely approaching a horizontalattitude relative to the floor in response to a first portron or phaseof the movement of the body-supporting means 29. For example, as shownin FIG. 2, the backrest 22 is reclined through approximately one fifthof" its movement, yet the leg-rest 30 is swung through be.

tween 70 and 80 relative to its original stored position and yet isalready close to an optimum leg-supporting position. In the positionillustrated in FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that the body-supportingmeans 20 is only slightly tilted back appropriate for televisionviewing, sewing, reading and the like, yet the leg-rest 30 is elevatedinto a useful leg-supporting position. During such first phase orportion of the reclining movement, the seat and legrest controlarrangement 36 elevates the leg-rest 30 at a substantially uniform rateof such magnitude and duration to achieve the requisite degree ofelevation of the leg-rest in response to a relatively small increment ofreclining movement of the back-rest 22. Concurrently during such firstphase or portion of the reclining movement, the control arrangement 36inclines the seat 24 at a substantially uniform rate of such magnitudeand duration such as to maintain a substantially fixed angularrelationship between the seat and back-rest and to establish theintermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2.

During the first increment of the second phase or portion of thecontinuous reclining movement of the back rest, as may be appreciated byprogressively inspecting FIGS. 2 and 3, continued movement of theleg-rest 39 at the same substantially uniform rate of movement wouldbring the leg-rest 3% to a position inclined upwardly from thesubstantially horizontal attitude and inclined upwardly relative to theseat 24. Such position could not be tolerated for the legs of the chairoccupant obviously cannot be moved into such an over-elevated positionwithout causing such occupant discomfort. However, during the secondportion of increment of the reclining movement of the back-rest 22, therate of movement of the leg-rest 30 is retarded so that there is arelatively small elevating movement of the leg-rest 30 out of theelevated leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 2 into the furtherelevated leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 3 wherein the leg-rest 30is slightly inclined near the horizontal and is in the requisiterelationship to the seat 24. Effectively during the portion of back-restor body-supporting means movement between the illustrative intermediatepositions of FIGS. 2 and 3, the elevation of the leg-rest 39 is retardedor slowed down, although the leg-rest does move somewhat more intoalignment with the seat 24. Concurrently during this portion of theback-rest or body-supporting means movement, the inclining of the seatis retarded or slowed down such that the included angle between the seat22 and the backrest 24 opens up somewhat to establish a more comfortableattitude for the chair occupant.

During the final increment of the second phase or portion of continuousreclining movement of the back-rest 22, the change in the rate ofelevation of the leg-rest 30 is such as to decrease the included anglebetween the legrest 3% and the seat 24. Efiectively, during the latterpart of the second movement phase, which can be considered to be a thirdmovement phase for the leg-rest, the leg-rest 3t lags and in a sensetends to reverse its movement relative to the seat 24 which continues tomove upwardly into the final inclined attitude for the fully reclinedposition, as shown in FIG. 4. Concurrently during this next or finalincrement of the continuous reclining movement of the back-rest 22, theinclining movement of the seat 24 is such that the included anglebetween the seat and back-rest continues to open up to establish thefully reclined position shown in FIG. 4.

By way of summary, it will be appreciated that the legrest controlarrangement 36 is effective to establish difierent rates of movement forthe seat 24 and the leg-rest 30, with the illustrative chair includingessentially two phases of movement. The relative small first phase ofmovement of the back-rest 22 rapidly brings the leg-rest 30 to anelevated leg-supporting position (compare FIGS. 1 and 2). Initially, thesecond phase of movement of the back-rest 22 effects a retardation ofthe motion of the leg-rest 30 so that the leg-rest 30 remains close tothe required horizontal attitude (compare FIGS. 2 and 3). The finalportion of the second phase of movement of the back-rest 22 brings aboutan increase in the included angle between the seat 24 and the leg-rest30 such that the leg-rest 30 is maintained in a substantially horizontalposition (compare FIGS. 3 and 4). It will be appreciated, however, thatalthough the invention has been illustrated with two limit positionsshown respectively in FIGS. 1 and 4, and two selected intermediatepositions shown respectively in FIGS. 2 and 3, that there are aninfinite number of intermediate positions wherein the leg-rest isoptimumly positioned relative to the seat, which corresponding infinitenumber of positions occur, once the leg-rest is substantially elevatedas shown in FIG. 2, toand including the fully reclined position shown inFIG. 4.

Specifically, the leg-rest control arrangement 36 which serves toactuate the leg-rest 30 and is controlled from the body-supporting means20 includes a suspended control member or link 4%. The control member 40is mounted for movement relative to the support 12 on a first suspendinglink 42 which has a first pivotal mount 44 on the support 12 and a firstpivotal connection 46 to the control member 49, and a second suspendinglink 48 which has second pivotal mount St on the support 12 and a secondpivotal connection 52 to the control member 40 at a point spaced fromthepivotal connection 46. The control member 40 is mounted to be displacedrelative to the support 12, or stated in somewhat different terms, thecontrol member 40is mounted for linear and curvilinear translationrelative to the support 12. Coupling means are operatively connected tothe leg-rest mounting linkage 34 and to the control member 40 whichtakes the form of a coupling link 54 connected to the control memberdt)at a control pivot 56 spaced from the first and second pivotalconnections 46, 52. The coupling link 54 has a pivotal connection 58 toone of the mounting links 6%, 62 of the double four-bar linkage 34. Themounting links 60, 62 of the double four-bar mounting linkage 34 haverespective pivotal mounts 64, 66 on the forward end of the seat 24. Alink 63 extends between the lower end of the link 64 and the legrest 39and has a pivotal connection 70 to the link 66 and a pivotal connection72 to the leg-rest 30. A further link 74 extends between the lower endof the link 62 and the leg-rest 30 and has a pivotal connection 76 tothe link 62 and a pivotal connection 78 to the leg-rest 36 The link 62of the first link pair 62, 74 crosses over the link 68 of the secondlink pair 60, 68 and has a co ordinating pivotal connection 8% thereto.It will be ap preciated that the leg-rest mounting linkage may take avariety of forms including a simple hanger arm pivotally mounted on theseat and operatively connected to the leg-rest 30, as well as otherconstructions generally known in the art.

The control pivot 56 is positioned on the control member 40 and thecontrol member 40 is suspended by the suspending links 42, 48 such thatthe control pivot 56 moves rapidly at a substantially uniform rate inresponse to the first phase or portion of the reclining movement of theback-rest 22 to bring about a rapid movement of the leg-rest 30 to theelevated leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 2. Further, the controlpivot 56 is positioned on the control member 40 and the control member40 is suspended such that the control pivot 56 moves in response to aninitial increment of a second phase or portion of the motion of theback-rest 22 during which there is a sharp retardation of the rate ofmovement of control pivot 56 to slow down the elevation of the legrest3% and establish a further elevated leg-supporting position shown inFIG. 3. Further, the control pivot 56 is positioned on the controlmember 40 and the control member 40 is suspended such that the reducedrate at which the control pivot 56 changes position during the latterportion of the second phase of the movement of the back-rest '22 bringsabout a decrease in the angle between the leg-rest 30 and the seat 24during the latter portion of the second phase, such that the leg-rest remains substantially in the required horizontal attitude, as may beappreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 3 and 4.

The seat and leg-rest control arrangement 36 is actuated in thisillustrative form of the invention by an actuating link 82 which extendsbetween the depending arm 22a of the back-rest 22 and the rear actuatinglink 82 has a pivotal connection 84 at its rearward end to the dependingarm ZZa'and apivotal connection 86 at its forward end to the firstsuspending link 42 at a point spaced below the rear pivotal mount 4%.Accordingly, in response .to the reclining movement of the back-rest 22,the depending extension 22a swings through an upward and forward arcabout the pivotal mount 26 imparting a forward thrust to the actuatinglink 82 which turns the rear suspending link 42 in the counterclockwisedirection about the rear pivotal mount 44, as may be appreciated byprogressively inspecting FIGS. 1 to 4. It will thus be appreciated thatthe first suspending link 42 serves as a driver link, with the secondsuspending link 48 serving as a follower link and with the controlmember 4% serving as a connecting link pivotally suspended on the driverand follower links.

The second suspending link 48 has its pivotal mount Sil on the supportprovided by a pin and slot interconnection such that the secondsuspending link 48 (serving as a follower memberlmay not only turn aboutthe pivot t on the support 12 but may also be displaced relative to suchpivot 56', Specifically, the pin Stl is approximately fixed on theadjacent side of the support l2 and is con fined'within a slot 88 formedin the second suspending link 48. Provision is made for biasing thesecond suspcndinglink 43 in a direction such that the pin 5% is normallyat the forward end of the slot 83 and the second suspending link 43 isof its maximum length. The link 48 may be shortened in effective lengthincident to displacement of the link 43 in a forward direction relativeto the pin 59, as maybe required during operation of the chair. Thebiasing arrangement includes an integral extension of the link 48 whichprojects forwardly of the pin Sil. :Mounted on the integral extension oflink 48 is a spring 96 which is operatively connected at one end to thepin 50 and is anchored at its opposite end on a pin 92 fixed to theintegral extension of link 48. The spring 9% is in tension and tends tourge the pin 92 toward the pivot St to bring the pivot against the upperend of the slot 88 serving as a bearing.

Provision is made for blocking the control member 46 in relation to thesecond suspending link 48 in the intermediate, tilted sitting position fFIG. 2, such as to establish a discrete chair position. As may beappreciated by v progressively inspecting FIGS. 1 and 2, the controlmember 4% turns in generally the clockwise direction about the pivotalconnection 46 during such first movement phase;

and it is this movement which engages the blocking arrangement. In thisillustrative embodiment, the second suspending link 48 is provided witha blocking member or stop 9d'which is positioned to be engaged within alocking notch 96 formed in the control member 4-dwhen the back-rest orbody-supporting means moves into the intermediate tilted position ofFIG. 2. In such intermediate, tilted sitting position, the controlmember it? and the second suspending link 4-8 efiectively become unitary such that the seat and leg-rest control arrangement 36 comprisestwo links during a subsequent portion of the chair movement, namely alink provided intermediate the pivotal mount 44 and the pivotalconnection as, and a furtherlink,intermediate the pivotal mount 5% andthe pivotal connection at. As will be appreciated by progressivelyinspecting FIGS. 2 and 3, there is a tendency for the pivotal connection46 to move forwardly in relation to the pivotal mount 5t; incident tothe driving force imparted to the first suspending link 42 serving as adriving member. Accordingly there is a lost motion travel of the secondsuspending link 48 and the control member All in relation to the frontpivotal mount 5%. Further as may be appreciated by progressivelyinspecting FIGS. 3 and 4, there is a tendency for the control member 46'to turn generally in the counterclockwise direction about the pivotalconnection 46 to the first suspending link 42 at a later time in theback-rest or body-supporting means movement such that the control membermoves out of blocked relation to the front suspending link 48. Duringsuch later portion of the chair movement, the second suspending link &8turns about the pivotal mount 56 which is seated at the forward end ofthe slot $8.

Provision is made for inclining the seat 2% at a relatively fast rateduring the second motion phase of the back-rest or body-supporting meansincident to the continuous and uniform reclining movement of theback-rest from the upright position of FIG. 1 to the intermediateposition of FIG. 2 such as to maintain a substantially fixed angularrelationship between the seat and back-rest (see FlGS. l and 2) and forinclining the seat at a slower rate during a second motion phase suchthat there is a progressive increase in the angular relationship betweenthe seat and back-rest. Specific-ally, a seat control link 98 extendsbetween the control member 4t? and the seat and has a seat control pivot1% to the control member 46 and a pivotal connection i192 to the seat24. The seat control pivot 1% is positioned on the control member 4 3such that the control pivot lib moves through a first phase at arelatively rapid rate in response to the first phase or portion of thereclining movement of the backrest 22 such that the inclining movementof the seat 24 is coordinated to the reclining movement of the back-rest22 to maintain the desired substantially fixed angular relationshiptherebetween as the chair moves into the intermediate, tilted sittingposition of FIG 2. Further, the seat control pivot tilt is positioned onthe control member 455 such that the seat control pivot moves through afurther phase in response to a further portion of the reclining movementsuch that the inclining movement of the seat 24 is slowed down as thebackrest 22 continues its uniform reclining movement to establish anincreased angular relationship between the seat and back-rest insuccessive positions, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

in order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the presentinvention, reference will now be made to a typical sequence ofoperations:

As the occupant is seated in the chair and leans against the back-rest22 and urges weight rearwardly thercagainst, the back-rest 22 will beginto recline at a continuous and uniform rate. Such reclining movement iseffective via the actuating link 82; to initiate the operation of theseat and legrest control arrangement as, which via the connecting orpropelling link 54 initially brings about a rapid movement of theleg-rest 25 to an elevated leg-supporting position, for example as shownin RIG. 2. Concurrently, the seat 2% is inclined under control of theseat control link 98 at a rate to establish the intermediate, tiltedsitting position of FIG. 2. As may be appreciated by progressivelyinspecting FIGS. 1 and 2, the leg-rest 3t) arrives at the elevatedleg-supporting position in response to a relatively small recliningmovement of the back-rest 2-2 and a correspondingly small incliningmovement of the seat with the seat 24 and back-rest 22 being orientedrelative to each other and to the support 12. to establish the firstintermediate position which is appropriate for television viewing,reading, sewing and like activities wherein it is desirable for thechair occupant to be disposed in a somewhat tilted back attitude withlegs elevated. in the intermediate position of F6. 2 the locking notch@6 is engaged with the pin 94 on the second suspending link 53. As theoccupant continues to exert pressure on the back-rest 22, furtherintermediate positions are established, for example as shown in FlG.

3, with the leg-rest 30 remaining in the optimum position relative tothe seat 24, and with progressively increasing included angles betweenthe back-rest 22 and the seat 24. Continued reclining movement willultimately bring the back-rest or body-supporting means into the fullyreclined position illustrated in FIG. 4, with an appropriate stop (i.e.the rear cross-brace 16) being provided to preclude further rearwardmovement of the body-supporting means 21) of the chair 10. Although onlytwo intermediate positions have been illustrated in FIGS; 2 and 3 itwill be appreciated, that there are an infinite number of intermediatepositions wherein the leg-rest 343 is optimumly positioned relative tothe seat 24 for the leg-supporting function, with the first of thesepositions occurring at a relatively early point in the rearward moveentof the body-supporting means 26 of the chair 1% as illustrated in FIG.2.

: Referring next specifically to FIGS. 5 to 8 of the drawings, there isseen a second illustrative embodiment of the invention, various parts ofwhich are assigned reference numerals in the hundreds seriescorresponding to the reference numerals in the tens series assigned toparts of the first embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. Thus, generallydesignated by the reference numeral 110, there is shown a recliningchair of the rester type including a support or frame 112 havingopposite side walls 114 interconnected by suitable cross braces 116 andsupported on depending legs 118.

A rigid or unitary body-supporting unit, generally designated by thereference numeral 126 and including a back-rest 122 and a seat 124, ismounted on the support 112 of a pivotal mount 126 for movement from theupright sitting position illustrated in FIG. 5, through numerousintermediate positions (selected ones being illustrated in FIGS. 6 and7) and into the fully tilted position illustrated in FIG. 8. In thisillustrative embodiment of the body-supporting unit 1213 is pivotallymounted, about a seat pivot 128, on a depending arm 1222) and thepivotal mount 126 which is on the support 112 is spaced below andforwardly of the seat pivot 123.

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat 124 in a depending storedposition is a leg-rest 131 which is mounted for movement at varyingrates from the stored position illustrated in FIG. 5 to elevatedleg-supporting positions illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. In thisillustrative embodiment, the leg-rest 131) is mounted for movement intothe successive elevated leg-supporting positions by a double four-barlinkage 134 which is operatively connected to the leg-rest 130 and ismounted on the seat 124.

In the usual continuous and uniform movement chair which includes aback-rest 122, seat 124 and leg-rest 130 mounted substantially asdescribed hereinbefore, the coordinating mechanism is such that for eachincrement of the continuous and uniform reclining movement of theback-rest 122, there would be a corresponding continuous and uniforminclining movement of the leg-rest 13% at its appropriate rate. Thus, asa practical matter, the leg rest 130 would not be etfectively positionedfor the legsupporting function during the numerous intermediatepositions and until the chair occupant brought the chair close to orinto the fully reclined position. However, as will now be described,provision is made, by an improved control arrangement 136 in accordancewith the instant embodiment of the present invention, to tilt thebodysupporting unit 120 at variable rates of movement and to rapidlybring the leg-rest 130 into an elevated legsupporting position extendingforwardly of the seat 124 and closely approaching a horizontal attituderelative to the floor in response to a first portion or phase of themovement of the body-supporting unit 129. For example, as shown in FIG.6, the body-supporting unit 120 is only slightly tilted, yet theleg-rest 130 is swung through between 70 and80 relative to its originalstored position and yet is already close to an optimum leg-supporting 1%position. In the intermediate, tilted sitting position illustrated inFIG. 6, it will be appreciated that the bodysupporting unit is onlyslightly tilted back, appropriately oriented for television viewing,sewing, reading and the like, yet the leg-rest 131i is elevated into auseful leg-supporting position. During such first phase or portion ofthe seat movement, the control arrangement 136 elevates the leg-rest ata substantially uniform rate of such magnitude and duration to achievethe requisite degree of elevation of the leg-rest in response to arelatively small tilting 'movement of the body-supporting unit- 1213. V

During the first increment of the second phase or portion of thecontinuous movement of the body-supporting unit 120, as may beappreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 6 and 7, continuedmovement of the leg-rest 131 at the same substantial uniform rate ofmovement would bring the leg-rest 130 to a position inclined upwardlyfrom the substantially horizontal attitude and inclined upwardlyrelative to the seat 124. Such position could not be tolerated for thelegs of the chair occupant obviously cannot be moved into such asover-elevated position without causing such occupant discomfort.However, during the second phase or portion of the reclining movement ofthe body-supporting unit 120, the rate of movement of the leg-rest 1341is retarded so that there is a relatively small elevating movement ofthe legrest 130 out of the elevated leg-supporting position shown inFIG. 6 into the further elevated leg-supporting position shown in FIG.7. Efiectively during the portion of the reclining .movement between theillustrative intermediate positions of FIGS. 6 and 7, the elevation ofthe leg-rest 131i is retarded or slowed down, although the leg rest doesmove somewhat more into alignment with the seat 124.

During the final increment of the second phase or portion of continuousmovement of the body-supporting unit 120, the change in rate ofelevation of the leg-rest 130 is such as to decrease the included anglebetween the leg-rest 131} and the seat 124. Effectively, during thelatter part of the second movement phase, which can be considered to bea third movement phase for the leg-rest 130, the leg-rest 130 lags andin a sense tends to reverse its movement relative to the seat 124 whichcontinues to move upwardlyinto the final inclined attitude for the fullytilted position of the chair, as shown in FIG. 8.

Specifically, the control arrangement 136 which serves to elevate theleg-rest'llii and is controlled from the rear part of thebody-supporting unit 12a includes a suspended control member or link140. The control member 140 is mounted for movement relative to thesupport 112 on a first suspending link 142 which has a first'pivotalmount 144 on the support 112 and a first pivotal connection 146 to thecontrol member 140, and a second suspending link 148 which has a secondpivotal mount 150 on the support .112 and a second pivotal connection152 to the control member 149 at a point spaced from the pivotalconnection 146. The control member 140 is mounted to be displacedrelative to the support 112, or stated in somewhat diiferent terms, thecontrol member 140 is mounted for linear and curvilinear translationrelative to the support 112. Coupling means are operatively connected tothe leg-rest mounting linkage 134 and to the control mem her 140 whichtakes the form of a coupling link 154 connected to the control member140 at a control pivot 156 spaced from the first and second pivotalconnections 146, 152. The coupling link 154 has a pivotal connection 158to one of the mounting links 161), 162 of the double four-bar linkage134. The mounting links 160, 162 of the double four-bar mounting linkage134 have respective pivotal mounts 164, 166 on the forward end of theseat 124. A link 168 extends between the lower end of the link 16! andthe leg-rest 130 and has a pivotal connection 170 to the link and apivotal connection 172 to the leg-rest'13tt. A further link 174 extendsbetween ll the lower end of the link 162 and the leg-rest 13d and has apivotal connection 175 to the link 162 and a pivotal connection 178 tothe leg-rest 13b. The link 68 of the first link pair 169, 168 crossesover the link ldfi of the second link pair 162, 174 and has acoordinating pivotal connection 1% thereto. It will be appreciated thatthe leg-rest mounting linkage 134 may take a variety of forms, includinga simple hanger arm pivotally mounted on the seat and operativelyconnected to the leg-rest 130,

as well as other constructions generally known in the art.

The control pivot tea is positioned on the control member 146 and thecontrol member l lll is suspended by the suspending links 142, 148 suchthat the control pivot 156 moves rapidly at a substantially uniform ratein response to the first phase or portion of the reclining movement ofthe body-supporting unit 120 to bring about a rapid movement of theleg-rest 13% to the elevated le supporting position shown in FIG. 6.Further, the control pivot 156 is positioned on the control member ltdtland the control member 140 is suspended such that the control pivot 156moves in response to an initial increment of a second phase or portionof the motion of the back-rest 24 during which there is a sharpretardation of the rate of movement of the control pivot 156 to slowdown the elevation of the leg-rest 130 andestablish a further elevatedleg-supporting position shown in F16. 6. Further, the control pivot 15sis positioned on the control member 149 and the control member 14% issuspended such that the reduced rate at which the control pivot 156changes position during the later portion of the second phase of themovement of the body supporting unit 12% brings about a decrease in theangle between the leg-rest 136 and the seat 124 during the later portionof the secand phase of the movement of body-supporting unit 1%,

such that the leg-rest 13th remains substantially in the requiredhorizontal attitude, as may be appreciated by pro gressively inspectingFIGS/7 and 8.

The leg-rest control arrangement 136 is actuated in this illustrativeform of the invention by an actuating link 182, which extends between adouble'depe'nding arm serving as a rear guiding and actuating lever 122aand the actuating link 182 and has a pivotal connection ltld at itsrearward end to the depending lever 122a and a pivotal connection 186 atits forward end to the rear suspending link 142 at apoint spaced belowthe rear pivotal mount I 144. The lever 122a is pivotally mounted on thesupport 112 at a pivotal mount 126 and its upwardly directed portion122b, servesas a rear guiding link, pivotally connected to thebody-supporting unit 1243 at a rear pivotal connection 128. Accordingly,in response to the reclining movement of the body-supporting unit 120,the lever arm 122a swings through an upward and forward are about the'pivotal mount 126 imparting a forward thrust to the actuating link 182which turns the first suspending link 142 in the counterclockwisedirection about the rear pivotal'mount 144, as may be appreciated byprogressively inspecting FIGS. to 8. It will thus be appreciated thatthe rear suspending link 142 serves as a driver link, with the secondsuspending link 14 8 serving as a 01- lower link and withj the controlmember 14 serving as a connecting link pivotally suspended on the driverand follower links.

The second suspending link 148 has its pivotal mount on the supportprovided by a pin and slot interconnection such that the secondsuspending link 148 (serving as a follower memberlmay not only turnabout the pivot 151 on the support 112 but may also be displacedrelative to such pivot 150. Specifically, the pin 15% is appropriatelyfixed on the adjacent side of the support 112 and is confined within aslot 13% formed in the second suspending link Mil. Provision is made forbiasing the second suspending link 14% in a direction such that the pin15% is normally at the forward end of the slot 188 and the secondsuspending link 148 is of its maximum length. The link 148 may beshortened in effective length incident to displacement of the link 14%in a forward direction relative to the pin 15%), as may be requiredduring operation of the chair. The biasing arrangement includes anintegral extension of the link 148 which proiects forwardly of the pin15%. Mounted on the integral extension of link M8 is a spring li tlwhich is operatively connected at one end to the pin 15% and is anchoredat its opposite end on a pin res fixed to the link extension. The springres is in tension and tends to urge the pin i923 toward the pivot 15% tobring the pivot against the up er end of the slot res serving as abearing.

Provision is made for blocking the control member 14% in relation to thesecond suspending link 14% in the intermediate, tilted sitting positionof FIG. 6, such as to establish a discrete chair position. As may beappreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 5 and 6, the controlmember i l-ll turns in generally the clockwise direction about thepivotal connection 146 during such first movement phase; and it is thismovement which engages the blocking arrangement. In this illustrativeembodiment, the second suspending link tee is provided with a blockingmember or stop E4 which is positioned to be engaged within a lockingnotch 1% formed on the control member 1% when the chair moves into theintermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 6. in such intermediate,tilted sitting position, the control member Mil and the secondsuspending link led effectively become unitary such that the controlarrangement 136 comprises two links during a subsequent portion of thechair movement, namely a link provided intermediate the pivotal mountrsa and the pivotal connection M6, and a further link intermediate thepivotal mount 15b and the pivotal connection 14-6. As will beappreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 6 and 7, there is atendency for pivotal connection 146 to move forwardly in relation to thepivotal mount 15% incident to the driving force imparted to the firstsuspending link 142 serving as a driving member. Accordingly, there is alost motion travel of the second suspending link 148 and the controlmember 149 in relation to the front pivotal mount 150. Further as may beappreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 7 and 8, there is atendency for the control member ldll to turn generally in thecounterclockwise direction about the pivotal connection 146 to the firstsuspending link 142 at a later time in the chair movement such that thecontrol member moves out of blocked relation to the second suspendinglink 148. During such later portion of the movement, the secondsuspending link 14% turns about the pivotal mount lSt'l which is seatedat the forward end of the slot 183.

The mounting arrangement for the body-supporting unit 129 is completedby the provision of a front guiding link 1%8 which is disposed in aforwardly and upwardly inclined attitude when the seat is in the upri htsitting position of FIG. 5. The front guiding link 1% has a frontpivotal mount Ell-ll at its lower end on the control member Mil and afront pivotal connection 232 on the seat 124 at a point spaced forwardlyof the rear pivotal connection E28. It will be appreciated that thefront guiding link 1% cooperates with the arm 1215b of the lever 122a,serving as a rear guiding link to movably mount the body-supporting uniton the support 112 for movement relative to the support during theseveral movement phases.

In order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the presentinvention, reference will now be made to a typical sequence ofoperations:

As the occupant is seated in the chair and leans against thebody-supporting unit 126 and urges weight rearwardly against theback-rest 22, the body-supporting unit 126 will tilt at a continuous anduniform rate. Such reclining movement is effective via the actuatinglever 122a and link to initiate the operation of the leg-rest controlarrangement 136, which via the connecting or pro- 13 peiling link 154initially brings about a rapid movement of the leg-rest 13-0 to anelevated leg-supporting position, for example as shown in FIG. 6.Concurrently, the body-supporting unit 120 is inclined under the controlof the seat control link 1%. As may be appreciated by progressivelyinspecting FIGS. 5 and 6, the leg-rest 130 arrives at the elevatedleg-supporting position in response to a relatively small tiltingmovement of the body-supporting unit 120, with the latter being orientedrelative to the support 112 to establish the first intermediate positionwhich is appropriate for television viewing, reading, sewing and likeactivities, wherein it is desirable for the chair occupant to bedisposed in a somewhat tilted back attitude with legs elevated. In theintermediate position of FIG. 6 the locking notch 196 is engaged withthe pin M4 on the second suspending link 148. Asthe occupant continuesto exert pressure on the back-rest 122, further intermediate, tiltedpositions are established, for example as shown in FIG. 7, with theleg-rest 13!) remaining in the optimum position relative to the seat124, Continued reclining movement will ultimately bring about the fullyreclined position illustrated in FIG; 8, with an appropriate stop (its.the rear cross-brace 116) being provided to preclude further rearwardmovement of the body-supporting unit 120 of the chair 110. Although onlytwo intermediate positions have been illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 itwill be appreciated, that there are an infinite number of intermediatepositions wherein the leg-rest 130 is optimumly positioned relative tothe seal 124 for the legsupporting function, with the first of thesepositions occurring at a relatively early point in the rearward tiltingmoving of the body-supporting unit 120 of the chair 110 as illustratedin FIG. 6.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in theforegoing disclosure and in some instances some features of theinvention will be employedwithout a corresponding use or" otherfeatures. Accordingly it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstrued broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scopeof the invention herein.

What I claim is:

1. An improved leg-rest and seat control arrangement for a recliningchair of the ,type including a support, body-supporting means includinga back-rest and seat movably mounted on said support for reclining andinclining movement respectively, a leg-rest, means operatively connectedto and mounting said leg-rest for movement into various elevatedleg-supporting positions, said arrangement comprising leg-rest actuatingmeans operatively coupling said leg-rest with said body-supportingmeans, said actuating means including a suspended control member, firstand second suspending means mounted on said support and carrying saidcontrol member therebetween, said suspending means cooperating with saidcon trol member to provide a four-bar suspending linkage independent ofsaid body-supporting means for guiding said control member fordisplacement relative to said support, means operatively connecting saidcontrol memher with said body-supporting means for displacement of saidcontrol member in response to movement of said body-supporting means,first coupling means operatively connecting a first control point onsaid control member to a first controlled point on said leg-rest, saidsuspending means being connected at such spaced points on the controlmember and said first control point being sospaced from said spacedpoints as to cause said first controlled point on said leg-rest toinitially move rapidly in response to a first phase of the movement ofsaid bodysupporting means, and then to be retarded in response to asecond phase of movement of said body-supporting means, and secondcoupling means operatively connecting a second control point on saidcontrol member to a second controlled point on said body-supportingmeans, and serving as a control means such that said body-supportingmeans is inclined at a relatively fast rate of movement during saidfirst motion phase and at a relatively slower rate of movement duringsaid second motion phase.

2, An improved leg-rest and seat control arrangement for a recliningchair of the type including a support, body-supporting means including aback-rest and seat movably mounted on said support for reclining andinclining movement respectively, a leg-rest, means operatively connectedto and mounting said leg-rest for movement into various elevatedleg-supporting positions, said arrangement comprising leg-rest actuatingmeans operatively coupling said leg-rest with said body-supportingmeans, said actuating means including a freely suspended control member,first and second suspending links mounted on said support and carryingsaid control member therebetween, said suspending links cooperating withsaid control member to provide a four-bar suspending linkage independentof said body-supporting means for guiding said control member fordisplacement relative to said support, means operatively connecting saidcontrol member with said body-supporting means for displacement of saidcontrol member in response to movement of said body-supporting means,first coupling means operatively connecting a first control point onsaid control member to a first controlled point on said leg-rest, saidsuspending link being connected at such spaced points on the ing asecond control point on said control member to a second controlled pointon said seat and serving as a seat control means such that said seat isinclined at a relatively fast rate of movement during said first motionphase and at a relatively slower rate of movement during said secondmotion phase, whereby said seat is maintained in a substantially fixedangular relationship to the backrest during said first motion phase andis disposed at progressively increased angular relationships to saidbackrest during said second motion phase.

3. A reclining chair according to claim 2 including means pivotallymounting said first suspending link on said support.

4. A reclining chair according to claim 3 including means pivotally andmovably mounting said second suspending link on said support.

5. An improved leg-rest and seat control arrangement for a recliningchair of the type including a support, body-supporting means including aback-rest and seat movably mounted on said support for reclining andinclining movement respectively, a leg-rest, means operatively connectedto and mounting said leg-rest for movement into various elevatedleg-supporting positions, said arrangement comprising leg-rest actuatingmeans operatively coupling said leg-rest with said body-supportingmeans, said actuating means including a freely suspended control member,first and second suspending means mounted on said support and carryingsaid control member therebetween, said suspending means cooperating withsaid control member to provide a four-bar suspending linkage independentof said body-supporting means for guiding said control member fordisplacement relative to said support, means operatively connecting saidcontrol member with said body-supporting means for displace- -ment ofsaid control member in response to movement of said body-supportingmeans, first coupling means operatively connecting a first control pivoton said control member to a first controlled point on said leg-rest,said suspending means being connected at such spaced points on thecontrol member and said control pivot being so spaced from said spacedpoints as to cause said first controlled point on said leg-rest toinitially move through a first motion phase during which there is asubstantially uniform velocity of said first control pivot of a durationto bring about a rapid movement of said leg-rest to an elevatedleg-supporting position and then through a second motion phase duringwhich there is a rapid change in the velocity of said first controlpivot. to slow down the elevation of said leg-rest, and second couplingmeans operatively connecting a second control pivot on said controlmember to a second controlled point on said seat and serving as aseatcontrol means such that said seat is inclined ata relatively fastrate during said first motion phase and at a slower rate during saidsecond motion phase whereby said seat is maintained in a substantiallyfixed angular relationship to the back-rest during said first motionphase and is moved into progressively increased angular relationship tosaid back-rest during said second motion phase.

6. An improved leg-rest and seat control arrangement for a recliningchair of the type including a support, bodysupporting means including aback-rest seat movably mounted on said support for reclining andinclining movement respectively, a leg-rest, means operatively connectedto and mounting said leg-rest for movement into various elevatedleg-supporting positions, said arrangement comprising leg-rest actuatingmeans operatively coupling said leg-rest with said body-supportingmeans, said actuating means'including a freely suspended control member,first and second suspending means mounted on said support and carryingsaid control member therebetween, said suspending means cooperating Withsaid control member to provide a our-bar suspending linkage independentor" said body-supporting means for guiding said control member fordisplacement relative to said support, means operatively connecting saidcontrol member with said bodysupporting means for displacement of saidcontrol memher in response to movement of said body-supporting means,first coupling means operatively connecting a first control pivot onsaid control member to a first controlled point on said'leg-rest, saidsuspending means being connected at such spaced points on the controlmember and said control pivot being so spaced from said spaced points asto cause said first controlled point to initially move through a firstmotion phase during which there is a substantially uniform velocity ofsaid first control pivot of a duration to bring about a rapid movementof said leg-rest to an elevated leg-supporting position and then througha second motion phase during which there is a rapid change in thevelocity of said first control pivot to slow down the elevation of saidleg-rest, and second coupling means operatively connecting a secondcontrol pivot on said control member to a second controlled point onsaid seat and serving as a seat control means such that said seat'isinclined at a relatively fast rate during said first motion phase and ata slower rate during said second motion phase whereby said seat ismaintained in a substantially fixed angular: relationship totheback-rest during said first motion phase and is moved into progressivelyincreased angular relationship to said back-rest during said secondmotion phase, said first control pivot being positionedon said controlmember and said control member being-mounted such that said rapid chan ein velocity during said second motion phase brings a decrease in theangular relationship between said leg-rest and seat during the latterpart of said second motion phase.

' 7. An improved leg-rest and seat control arrangement for'a recliningchair of the type including a support, a body-supporting unit includinga unitary back-rest and seat, a leg-rest, means operatively connected toand mounting said leg-rest for movement into various elevatedlegsupporting positions, said arrangement comprising leg-rest actuatingmeans operatively connecting said leg-rest and means guiding saidcontrol member for displacement relative to said support, coupling meansoperatively connecting a control pivot on said control member to saidleg rest, said suspending means being connected at such spaced points onthe control member and said control pivot being so spaced from saidspaced points as to cause said control pivot to initially move rapidlyat a substantially uniform rate in response to a first phase of themovement of said body-supporting unit to bring about a rapid movement ofsaid leg-rest to an elevated leg-supporting position and then to move ata second and less rapid rate in response to a second phase of movementof said body-supporting unit during which there is a sharp retardationof the rate of movement of the control pivot to slow down the elevationof said leg-rest, guiding means mounted on said support and on saidleg-rest actuating means respectively for mounting said bodyeupportingunit for tilting movement, said guiding means including a rear guidinglink pivotally mounted on said support at a rear pivotal mount andpivotally connected to said bodysupporting unit at a rear pivotalconnection and a front guiding link pivotally mounted on said controlmember at a front pivotal mount and pivotally connected to saidbody-supporting unit at a front pivotal connection, said rear and frontguiding links turning about said rear and front pivotal mountsrespectively during said first phase of movement to move saidbody-supporting unit into an intermediate, tilted sitting position andduring said second movement phase to move said bod y-supporting unitinto a iully tilted position, and coupling means operatively connectingsaid rear guiding link to said leg-rest actuating means for moving thesame in response to tilting movement of said body-supporting unit.

8. An improved leg-rest and seat control arrangement for a recliningchair according to claim 7 including a double-arm lever pivotallymounted on said support and having one arm thereof serving as said rearguiding link and the other arm thereof serving as part of said couplingmeans which operatively connects said rear guiding link to said legrestactuating means.

9. An improved leg-rest and seat control arrangement for a recliningchair of the type including a support, a body-supporting unit includinga unitary back-rest and seat, a leg-rest, means operatively connected toand mounting said leg-rest for movement into various elevatedlegsupporting positions, said arrangement comprising legrest actuatingmeans operatively connected to said leg-rest and including a freelysuspended control member, first and second suspending means mounted onsaid support and carrying said control member thereon, said suspendingmeans guiding said control member for displacement relative to saidsupport, coupling means operatively connecting a control pivot on saidcontrol member to said legrest, said suspending means being connected atsuch spaced points on the control member and said control pivot being sospaced from said spaced points as to cause said control pivot toinitially move rapidly at a substantially uniform rate in response to afirst phase of the movement of said body-supporting unit to bring abouta rapid movement of said leg-rest to an elevated leg-supporting positionand then to move at a second and less rapid rate in response to a secondphase of movement of said bodysupporting unit during which there is asharp retardation of the rate of movement of the control pivot to slowdown the elevation of said leg-rest, guiding means mounted on saidsupport and on said leg-rest actuating means respectively for mountingsaid body-supporting unit for tilting movement, said guiding meansincluding a rear guiding link pivotally mounted on said support at arear pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said body-supporting unitat a rear pivotal connection and a front guiding lini; pivotally mountedon said control member at a front pivotal mount and pivotally connectedto said body-supporting unit at a front pivotal connection, said rearand front guiding links turning about said rear and front pivotal mountsrespectively during said first phase of movei7 ment to move saidbody-supporting unit into an intermediate,-tilted sitting position andduring said second phase of movement to move said body-supporting unitinto a fully tilted position, coupling means operatively connecting saidrear guiding link to said leg-rest actuating means for moving the samein response to tilting movement of said body-supporting unit, and meansengaging said control member at the end of said first phase of movementand providing a fulcrum for said control member during a first portionof said second phase of movement, said control member translatingrelative to said fulcrum during a further portion of said second phaseof movemeat.

10. An improved leg-rest and seat control arrangement for a recliningchair of the type including a body-supporting unit including a unitaryback-rest and seat, a leg-rest, means operatively connected to andmounting said leg-rest for movement into various elevated legsupportingpositions, said arrangement comprising leg-rest actuating meansoperatively connected to said leg-rest and including a freely suspendedcontrol member, first and second suspending means mounted on saidsupport and carrying said control member thereon, said suspending meansguiding said control member for displacement relative to said support,coupling means operativcly connecting a control pivot on said controlmember to said legrest, said suspending means being connected at suchspaced points on the control member and said control pivot being sospaced from said spaced points as to cause said control pivot toinitially move rapidly at a substantially uniform rate in response to afirst phase of the movement of said body-supporting unit to bring abouta rapid movement of said leg-rest to an elevated leg-supporting positionand then to move at a second and less rapid rate in response to a secondphase of movement of said bodysupporting unit during which there is asharp retarda- 18 tion of the rate of movement of the control pivot toslow down the elevation of said leg-rest, guiding means mounted on saidsupport and on said leg-rest actuating means respectively for mountingsaid body-supporting unit for tilting movement, said guiding meansincluding a rear guiding link pivotally mounted on said support at arear pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said bodysupporting unitat a rear pivotal connection and a front guiding link pivotally mountedon said control member at a front pivotal mount and pivotally connectedto said body-supporting unit at a front pivotal mount and pivotallyconnected to said body-supporting unit at a front pivotal connection,said rear and front guiding links turning about said rear and frontpivotal mounts respectively during said first phase of movement to movesaid bodysupporting unit into an intermediate, tilted sitting positionand during said second phase of movement to move said body-supportingunit into a fully tilted position, coupling means including an integralextension of said rear guiding link operatively connecting saidbody-supporting unit to said leg-rest actuating means for moving thesame in response to tilting movement of said body-supporting unit, andmeans engaging said control member at the end of said first phase ofmovement and providing a fulcrum for said control member during a firstportion of said second phase of movement, said control membertranslating relative to said fulcrum during a further portion of saidsecond phase of movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent Lorenz Dec. 22,

1. AN IMPROVED LEG-REST AND SEAT CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR A RECLININGCHAIR OF THE TYPE INCLUDING A SUPPORT, BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS INCLUDING ABACK-REST AND SEAT MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT FOR RECLINING ANDINCLINING MOVEMENT RESPECTIVELY, A LEG-REST, MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTEDTO AND MOUNTING SAID LET-REST FOR MOVEMENT INTO VARIOUS ELEVATEDLEG-SUPPORTING POSITIONS, SAID ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING LEG-REST WITH SAIDACTUATING MEANS OPERATIVELY COUPLING SAID LEG-REST WITH SAIDBODY-SUPPORTING MEANS, SAID ACTUATING MEANS INCLUDING A SUSPENDEDCONTROL MEMBER, FIRST AND SECOND SUSPENDING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAIDSUPPORT AND CARRYING SAID CONTROL MEMBER THEREBETWEEN, SAID SUSPENDINGMEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID CONTROL MEMBER TO PROVIDE A FOUR-BARSUSPENDING LINKAGE INDEPENDENT OF SAID BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS FOR GUIDINGSAID CONTROL MEMBER FOR DISPLACEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID SUPPORT, MEANSOPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID CONTROL MEMBER WITH SAID BODY-SUPPORTINGMEANS FOR DISPLACEMENT OF SAID CONTROL MEMBER IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OFSAID BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS, FIRST COUPLING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTINGA FRIST CONTROL POINT ON AID CONTROL MEMBER TO A FIRST CONTROLLED POINTON SAID LEG-REST, SAID SUSPENDING MEANS BEING CONNECTED AT SUCH SPACEDPOINTS ON THE CONTROL MEMBER AND SAID FIRST CONTROL POINT BEING SOSPACED FROM SAID SPACED POINTS AS TO CAUSE SAID FIRST CONTROLLED POINTON SAID LEG-REST TO INITIALLY MOVE RAPIDLY IN RESPONSE TO A FIRST PHASEOF THE MOVEMENT OF SAID BODYSUPPORTING MEANS, AND THEN TO BE RETARDED INRESPONSE TO A SECOND PHASE OF MOVEMENT OF SAID BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS,AND SECOND COUPLING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING A SECOND CONTROL POINTON SAID CONTROL MEMBER TO A SECOND CONTROLLED POINT ON SAIDBODY-SUPPORTING MEANS, AND SERVING AS A CONTROL MEANS SUCH THAT SAIDBODY-SUPPORTING MEANS IS INCLINED AT A RELATIVELY FAST RATE MOVEMENTDURING SAID FIRST MOTION PHASE AND AT A RELATIVELY SLOWER RATE OFMOVEMENT DURING SAID SECOND MOTION PHASE.